At least four people were killed and dozens injured after violence erupted during the Linda Mwananchi political rally in Homa Bay County, with survivors recounting attacks involving stones, guns, pangas and other crude weapons.
Among those killed was Police Constable Jim Richardson Onkundi, who was attached to the Nyando Sub-County Command. Homa Bay County Police Commander Lawrence Koilem said the officer was hit on the head by a stone while driving police officers from the area after the violence.
“He was hit with a stone on the head when he was driving his boss and other officers on their way back,” Mr Koilem said.
The officer was rushed to hospital but later died.
Another victim was a Ugandan woman who was reportedly run over during the chaos. Her identity was not immediately released. The death toll later rose to four, although the identities of the other victims had not been publicly disclosed.
Dozens of others were injured and treated at hospitals in Homa Bay and Kisumu.
The list of victims included Benard Ochieng, who lost all the fingers on his right hand, and Jean Morgan Odul, who lost two fingers.
George Opinde Onyango suffered a gunshot wound and a fractured left leg, while Tonny Onyango Odhiambo, John Philip Owale and Kevin Ochieng Von were among those treated for gunshot wounds.
Stephen Otieno Gweth sustained injuries to his left eye and both hands, while Brian Okoth Onyango suffered injuries to his legs, chest and arm. Hesbon Abwala was injured on both arms.
Fredrick Ochola was shot in both knees, according to the casualty records, while Michael Odhiambo Duma sustained a head injury and fractured his left arm. Kennedy Omondi Odhis suffered a fractured left foot.
Other victims included Francis Mwangi Ndibo, who sustained a deep panga cut below the eye; Vincent Okoth, who suffered a head injury and fractured his right leg; and Marrin Simiyu Mapesa, who was stabbed in the stomach.
Police officers were also injured. They included SSP Fredrick Ombaka, Corporal Leonard Wanjala, Constable Geoffrey Kebenei, Constable Benard Odundo, AP Constable Richard Muema, Corporal Stephen Orony, Corporal Rika Said, AP Constable James Nyoike, AP Constable Collins Bera and AP Constable James Kinywa.
One of the most disturbing accounts came from an aspiring Woman Representative from the Coast who was among those attending the rally.
Suba South MP Millie Odhiambo said the woman was badly beaten and bleeding from the head when an attacker allegedly raised a panga.
“As blood was oozing from her head uncontrollably, a young man who was part of the earlier beatings raised his panga to finish her off,” Ms Odhiambo said.
She said another woman who knew the attacker intervened and pleaded with him to spare the victim.
“The young man apologised and said he only did that because he is jobless and they were given money and instructed to kill,” Ms Odhiambo said.
According to the MP, the attacker later helped the woman to hide and get medical attention.
“He even provided another young man to protect her,” she said.
Ms Odhiambo said the woman had been discharged from hospital but was still in severe pain and using a wheelchair when they met.
The MP said women were among those specifically targeted during the violence.
“This lady and other women who spoke were specifically targeted,” Ms Odhiambo said, adding that one woman lost her security during the attack.
“Some women were reportedly raped.”
The allegations of sexual violence have not been independently verified and are expected to be part of investigations into the violence.
Linda Mwananchi leaders said the violence was an organised attack rather than a spontaneous confrontation.
In a statement after the rally, the group said armed people had been positioned along sections of the route used by its convoy.
“Most alarming was the presence of armed individuals positioned in bushes along our route who fired directly at the Linda Mwananchi convoy. This was not crowd chaos. It was an ambush!” the group said.
The leaders accused security agencies of failing to protect participants and demanded investigations into the attacks.
“We hold the National Police Service and the National Intelligence Service accountable for the conduct of their officers yesterday,” the group said.
It added: “Linda Mwananchi will not be silenced.”
The allegations against security agencies and other individuals named by the group have not been independently established.
Siaya Governor James Orengo, who was part of the tour, condemned the attacks on the convoy and said political violence should not be allowed to define Kenya's elections.
“But these goons who have been organised in order to hit at our cars, interfere with our convoy, this is not Kenya. This is not the Kenya we want,” Mr Orengo said.
The National Police Service said it had launched investigations and was pursuing the people involved in the violence.
“Operations to apprehend him and all other individuals involved in the violence are continuing,” the police said in a statement on the pursuit of suspects.
Police said the investigation was targeting those who organised, financed and participated in the violence, and that crude weapons had been recovered as security operations continued.
The violence also left vehicles damaged and torched, while journalists covering the rally were attacked.
